REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — A student at Reynoldsburg High School Summit Road Campus was charged after he claimed to have had a weapon and induced panic at a basketball game on Thursday.
About 500 people were inside the high school’s gymnasium attending a Special Olympics basketball game between Reynoldsburg and Columbus City Schools.
Court records state that a student was next to 18-year-old Rocco Sabatino, who told the student that he “was going to do something funny” at halftime.
Court documents referenced a video from the gym that showed Sabatino walking into the gym while the game was happening. He stood in the middle of the gym while wearing a Jason-style hockey face mask and held a sign in front of him saying "I HAVE A GUN.”
Students were then seen running from the gymnasium in a panic. Sabatino was physically removed from the gym and authorities found a large knife on his person.
A school resource officer was called into an office where a staff member restrained 18-year-old Rocco Sabatino. The officer attempted to calm Sabatino down and handcuff him, but he was emotional and began to struggle.
Sabatino was eventually taken into custody.
The school was briefly placed on lockdown while security sweeps took place. No injuries were reported.
Sabatino was charged with inducing panic, which is a second-degree felony.
A Licking County judge recommended a $750,000 bond for Sabatino citing public safety concerns and statements regarding wanting to kill other people, including his mother and another student.
A court date has not been announced.